Matt Jones: UK is currently a top 5 program

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,812
6,724
113
There is a big difference in having some great “teams” and having a great “program”.
We have had mediocre teams for the most part since 2015, but we’re definitely still a top program.
 

saxonburgcat

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2012
4,437
4,151
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Historically, that’s obviously true, we’re at the top of the heap.

But there’s nothing about our performance over the last seven years that would put us in that group.

Since we lost to SP, I haven't really taken the time to look back at our performance over the past 7 years to see the numbers until I saw your post. No doubt we had the disaster covid season and had a horrible loss in the tournament this year.

But, taking another look, it gets interesting. 5 seasons we lost less than 10 games: 9,6, 7, 6 and 8. Our rankings were 10, 5, 18, 7, 8, NR, 7. We had 2 E8's during this span. One tournament was cancelled.

For fun, I compared that to Tubby's last 7 seasons. 3 seasons we lost less than 10 games: 6,5,4. Our rankings during this time were 9th, 16th, 1st, 2nd, 7th, NR, NR. Tubby had 2 E8's during this span.

I know very well that the losing season is a BIG black mark as is the loss to SP. Looking at the numbers, I do have to wonder why the Tubby supporters have turned so vehemently against Cal? I think that is a fair question to ask! I also have to ask if all those who want Cal gone (including myself) are overreacting?
 

Catfanlou_rivals54997

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2014
1,516
2,351
0
Kentucky is currently a top 5 program because of facilities, players in the NBA, and most importantly because of the BBN.

Cal hasn’t helped us any since 2015, but BBN alone will always keep us as a top program.
Players in the NBA don’t man ANYTHING,ANYTHING,ANYTHING to me .

Barnhart should
1)prohibit Cal from attending any future NBA draft green room nights and

2) announce that beginning next season UK players like the NY Yankees will not have their names on the back of Their Jersey s to make the point it is a team game and we are not a G@# D#$@ NBA farm club.
 

DavidHawk

Junior
Mar 1, 2021
79
295
53
The overall negativity on the board is laughable right now. Everyone take a deep breath. Kentucky is a top 5 program easily. Calm down people.
 
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Rupp'sRunt

Heisman
Apr 19, 2008
14,675
20,094
0
Was Matt Jones’ “Rachel” girlfriend real or was that made up? Haven’t heard him bring her name up in awhile.
I sat behind him at a roosters in louisville when he was with a fairly attractive female. He acted like a huge dick and said something at least passive aggressive after UK fans approached him to say hey or shake his hand after they left to the girl. Idk if he was trying to impress her or he’s just a prick but ever since then I’ll never check his website/podcast or support him as a UK personality. Self absorbed douchebag imo

my GF can also confirm this story.
 

univky12

All-Conference
May 21, 2002
9,447
3,986
90
Since we lost to SP, I haven't really taken the time to look back at our performance over the past 7 years to see the numbers until I saw your post. No doubt we had the disaster covid season and had a horrible loss in the tournament this year.

But, taking another look, it gets interesting. 5 seasons we lost less than 10 games: 9,6, 7, 6 and 8. Our rankings were 10, 5, 18, 7, 8, NR, 7. We had 2 E8's during this span. One tournament was cancelled.

For fun, I compared that to Tubby's last 7 seasons. 3 seasons we lost less than 10 games: 6,5,4. Our rankings during this time were 9th, 16th, 1st, 2nd, 7th, NR, NR. Tubby had 2 E8's during this span.

I know very well that the losing season is a BIG black mark as is the loss to SP. Looking at the numbers, I do have to wonder why the Tubby supporters have turned so vehemently against Cal? I think that is a fair question to ask! I also have to ask if all those who want Cal gone (including myself) are overreacting?
Tubby absolutely got lazy on the recruiting trail. It was painful to see, because Tubby the person was so well liked.

The minute Calipari said "NBA draft night" was the biggest night in UK HISTORY, he lost a lot of fans. His embrace of having a new team each and every year has gotten tiresome as well.

UK was supposed to have the number 2 recruiting class this year.....It wasn't even top 50...And now the potential Shaedon Sharpe fiasco will fuel that fire even more.
 
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willyclyde

All-American
Feb 25, 2007
5,917
8,898
0
The entire program was so much better pre Cal and pre Jones. They both have had a negative effect on Kentucky basketball as a whole.
 

saxonburgcat

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2012
4,437
4,151
0
Tubby absolutely got lazy on the recruiting trail. It was painful to see, because Tubby the person was so well liked.

The minute Calipari said "NBA draft night" was the biggest night in UK HISTORY, he lost a lot of fans. His embrace of having a new team each and every year has gotten tiresome as well.

UK was supposed to have the number 2 recruiting class this year.....It wasn't even top 50...And now the potential Shaedon Sharpe fiasco will fuel that fire even more.
I think that is a good honest answer. Thanks.
 
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gojvc

All-American
Feb 5, 2005
28,744
7,273
0
Historically, that’s obviously true, we’re at the top of the heap.

But there’s nothing about our performance over the last seven years that would put us in that group.
You can always cherry-pick small periods of history but it’s not that meaningful. Was Duke top 5 from 2002-2009?
 

wccat

All-American
Apr 8, 2009
5,559
8,464
66
Bolds well for UNC if Hubert can recruit and Scheyer can coach. They both have young coaches and are familiar with the programs. Wow if Hubert wins this year, he has the same number of rings as Cal.
 

saxonburgcat

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2012
4,437
4,151
0
You can always cherry-pick small periods of history but it’s not that meaningful. Was Duke top 5 from 2002-2009?
I can't say that choosing the last 7 years is cherry picking. It is a relevant timeframe because it spans 1) recent history and 2) is the period of time since our last FF. It could easily point to the direction of the program.

Having said that, for years on this board those who supported Tubby have ALWAYS said that you have to count the entire timeframe. Some of them are now choosing only the last 7 years. I call that out for dishonesty.
 
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dlh331

Heisman
Jan 4, 2003
28,754
22,818
113
Several years back ESPN developed a points system to determine program rankings (20 years Street and Smith did the same). Points were allocated as follows:
5 for regular season conference title
3 for conference tourney title
3 points for #1 seed
3 points for 2nd round exit
5 for Sweet 16 exit
10 for elite 8 loss
15 for final 4 loss
20 for title game loss
25 for title

There were several others, but these were the most important. Every year after the tournament, I see how the programs are doing.

Cal’s line of demarcation is clearly the Wisconsin loss. Do not have the final numbers yet, but for 2016 to 2022, Kentucky is right at #13 or #14.

We were clearly #1 from 2020-15 and for the entire Cal era top 3. But Duke, KU and UNC are right there.

It just depends on what year you go back to
 
Apr 17, 2015
340
262
0
We were solid..but far from the best team in the country. Kansas or Gonzaga would’ve wiped the floor with us.
I know that the common belief is that at the end of 2020 before Covid UK was rolling. The metrics say otherwise. UK did dominate the SEC that year but there was only one other ranked team that year: number 17 Auburn whom UK split with. There were losses to Evansville, a 16-15 Utah team and the other SEC losses were to UT (penultimate game) and USC who were barely over .500. UK Kenpom was 29 and net was 21. Yes 2020 was better than ‘21 by a lot but it was not what many now remember. I would say not as impressive as even this year.
 
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mdlUK.1

Heisman
Dec 23, 2002
29,712
57,543
0
So who is your #5?
Baylor? 1 title ever
Gonzaga 0 titles ever
Honestly UK has struggled the last 7 yrs but damn we have 2 EE (2017 lost at the buzzer thanks to Dickhead and 2019 lost in OT) in that time frame and were playing as good as anyone in 2020 when Covid struck. Calm the F down.
We have NOT struggled the last 7 years. We played a lousy game this year. We missed last year (as did dUKe) . Year before we were poised for a deep run but tournament was canceled.

 

bigsmoothie

All-American
Sep 7, 2004
11,161
8,851
0
I sat behind him at a roosters in louisville when he was with a fairly attractive female. He acted like a huge dick and said something at least passive aggressive after UK fans approached him to say hey or shake his hand after they left to the girl. Idk if he was trying to impress her or he’s just a prick but ever since then I’ll never check his website/podcast or support him as a UK personality. Self absorbed douchebag imo

my GF can also confirm this story.
Try hard award ⬆️
 

bigsmoothie

All-American
Sep 7, 2004
11,161
8,851
0
Bolds well for UNC if Hubert can recruit and Scheyer can coach. They both have young coaches and are familiar with the programs. Wow if Hubert wins this year, he has the same number of rings as Cal.
With Roy’s players
 

Rupp'sRunt

Heisman
Apr 19, 2008
14,675
20,094
0
Why make up a story just so you can say you don’t like him. Just say you don’t. It’s ok. I can’t stand most people.
Bc it’s a true story… I can even tell you the exact roosters location. We sat back to back lol. Why would I make this up?
 

willyclyde

All-American
Feb 25, 2007
5,917
8,898
0
Guys keep Matt in your prayers. Next year will be really rough on his business ventures with fans so checked out.
 

willyclyde

All-American
Feb 25, 2007
5,917
8,898
0
It’s funny how a dork like Matt Jones thinks he has the most important opinion on all things Kentucky basketball and whatever he says is correct.
 

JordanJ21

All-American
Sep 11, 2015
5,162
8,136
43
UNC was 14-19 two years ago. People on here are idiots.
14, two years ago is 1.5x times better than the 9 Kentucky won last year. And they’re in the final four. Kentucky got beat in the first round to a 15 seed…………

Carolina also won a title in 2017 where they knocked out Kentucky.
 

BBallin23

All-American
Sep 1, 2009
16,366
7,963
67
It comes and goes in cycles. UK is still #1 all time program. UK will get back to the top with or without Cal.
 
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